FINALLY: Just Got Amex Approval!

[Uncle_Money]

Hey Guys,

Ahh, finally got an approval from Amex! I applied for the Green Rewards card. This now concludes my cc apps for a long time as I have everything I need. Now I have some questions for the Amex gurus here:

1) I applied for the Green because I heard its Amex's entry level card to establish a relationship. I didn't want to risk a denial for another card. I personally feel I'm eligible for a higher card. Utilization is 9% and my scores are in my sig. Should I just use the Green for 6 months and then upgrade? Or call back and get it done tonight!

2) I applied by phone. I was told if I wanted to apply for one of their business cards that they would pull my report again but it would only show as 1 inquiry. Any truth to this? I'd like to acquire an Amex business card but not if I'll show 2 inquiries in a day.

Thanks for your suggestions!!

- UM

[athensguy]

I don't know if you need to upgrade the Green, but it might be a good idea to call and see if you can get the fee waived for the first year if you didn't use an app that had a waiver.

[Anonymous]

can I ask why you are so interested in AMEX cards? I've always been curious what the big deal is? Don't take this the wrong way, but is it a status thing? Is AMEX a "cooler" card to have? I'm seriously in the dark, I'm not trying to be a jerk....you go to credit card forums all over the internet and people are absolutely pining for an american express card...

[athensguy]

Yes, Amex does still hold some cachet with people that are unfamiliar with credit. Sometimes in business, small things like that can convince a client that you're a good person to deal with.

A charge card is a good way keep your utility under control.

They also have more non-rewards benefits than other cards. The gold charge has road-side assistance, accidental damage warranty, return protection, amongst other things that might be rare in a regular platinum visa or mc. They also have, in the past, tended to have the best Customer Service, and will more readily work with you if you have a dispute with a merchant. Their extended warranty is better than even the Amex network cards like Citi, because it adds a year on a warranty that was originally up to five years, whereas Citi will only add time if the original warranty was one year or less.

[Uncle_Money]

No offense taken whitechapel

For me, it was always the challenge of getting one. I always found that Amex was more difficult to acquire than the average card. I was declined on more than one occasion in the past. To finally get an approval is a good feeling!

[haulingthescoreup]

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@Anonymous wrote:

can I ask why you are so interested in AMEX cards? I've always been curious what the big deal is? Don't take this the wrong way, but is it a status thing? Is AMEX a "cooler" card to have? I'm seriously in the dark, I'm not trying to be a jerk....you go to credit card forums all over the internet and people are absolutely pining for an american express card...

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One really bizarre benefit for those who take the long view is that they keep the year that you opened your first card, and they assign that year to any other accounts you might open. So you might get a Green card in December 2008, and then a Blue in January 2009, but the date on the Blue will be January 2008. So no new account penalty, and it even appears older than your first card. And if you had a card a long time ago and they can find your account, the same thing holds true, so you might wind up getting a card next month and it would show September 1989.

But in general, once they get used to you (and we're talking several years here) they're very good with CLI's, and their customer service and consumer protections are great. But doubtless you will hear plenty of opposing viewpoints, lol. Over time, we have identified a lot of the triggers for unpleasantness by AmEx.

[smallfry]

Congrats Uncle Money on your Amex approval.

[Uncle_Money]

Thanks smallfry!!

[Uncle_Money]

Hi Hauling,

Any opinion on Qs 1&2?

[Anonymous]

Woo hoo!  Congrats, UM.  I'm happy for you.

Apping for Amex is something I've been tossing around as well, though I think i'll hold off for a while longer.  I also feel as though the Amex will conclude my apping. Like my credit file will be somewhat "complete", though I still hestitate to take the plunge with all the bad press they've been getting lately from forum members. We'll see...I was leaning in the direction of the Blue Sky, but didn't realize that the green card may be easier to obtain. Is that just a general consensus, that the green card is the foot in the door since it's the lower of the other standard Amex cards, or is there some scale I am missing out on in terms of which cards are easier to get in with than others. Darn it, if I do give in and apply for them I'll be so disappointed if I get declined because I applied for a tougher card!

Again, congrats, great accomplishment!

Message Edited by UpUpUp on 08-18-2008 07:11 PM